CUSTOMS CLEARANCE & COMPLIANCE
Customs clearance is simply the act of moving goods through customs so they can enter the country. Meanwhile, Compliance ensures the vehicle meets Australian safety standards.
4-STEP PROCESS TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
1. A customs officer assesses your customs paperwork.
Your agent in Phoenix will assist in ensuring the documents are accurate and complete. We will request documentation from you and apply the information to the relevant paperwork for customs clearance. The most important piece of this is the commercial invoice, as this will list the contact information for both the shipper and receiver, as well as applicable dates and reference numbers.
2. Import duties and taxes are assessed using the customs paperwork.
Import fees vary depending on the type of goods, the value, as well as specific requirements in the receiving country. For example, imports coming into Australia will incur GST of 10%, Customs Duty of 5%, and Luxury Car Tax if the vehicle exceeds the LCT threshold. Import duties and taxes may not be applicable if the vehicle is being re-imported into the country. However, this will vary depending on the receiving country’s legislation.
3. Customs requests payment for taxes and duties, if applicable.
If the vehicle is a re-import, import taxes may not be applicable and the customs agent will advise at this point. If the vehicle is a first-time import, or taxes are applicable, the customs agent will provide the import tax amount to your agent, and request an invoice. Your agent within Phoenix will provide you with a formal invoice for payment so the vehicle can be released from customs. If payment is not made immediately, the receiving port may apply additional storage fees to have your vehicle released.
4. Your shipment clears customs once all duties are paid.
On completion of customs clearance, your agent will organise freight from the port to the required destination. Providing all paperwork has been sent to the agent and the proper processes have been adhered to, it is likely that the vehicle will be released with minimal delays. Depending on the location, the agent will provide a timeframe for delivery to the end location.
Here’s a full list of all necessary paperwork for customs clearance for vehicles:
- Commercial Invoice
- Bill of Lading (provided by the agent)
- Certificate of Origin
- Asbestos Declaration (mandatory for all vehicles pre-2000)
- Previous Registration Certificate
- Identification or Receiver or Purchaser
- Vehicle Import Approval
VEHICLE COMPLIANCE
Compliance involves the modifications and check lists to a vehicle to ensure it is safe and complies with the Australian Design rules. Most vehicles that have been brought into Australia need to go through some form of compliance.
Every vehicle is different, so the items and modifications are going to vary between makes and models. It is all dependent on what the manufacturer installed on the vehicle when it was originally built, as well as any aftermarket modifications made.
The main reason for compliance is safety. Regardless of whether the vehicle is released in full volume in another country and they deem the vehicle safe, some components may not be safe enough for Australian roads.
Most of the new vehicles will pass compliance without modifications as worldwide vehicles are getting safer and many countries legislation is becoming more standardised.
For further information on this, please visit VEHICLE IMPORT COMPLIANCE.
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